Russia's Red Square Display: President Putin, Chinese Leader Xi, Action Star Seagal, and Missile showcase in Moscow's iconic square
Rewritten Article:
Frank talk time: The 2025 Victory Day parade in Moscow was a grand display of military might, with Putin showing off the latest gear – tanks, missiles, and attack drones – just a few years into the Ukraine campaign.
Putin, the mastermind behind the full-scale attack on Ukraine in '22, leaned on the memory of Soviet war victories to rally public support for the army. Previously, Moscow had scaled back its Nazi defeat celebrations, with fewer tanks due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Many world leaders chose to skip the event, hesitant to travel to Russia or be seen alongside Putin. But for the 80th anniversary of WWII and the three years into the Ukraine campaign, the pomp was back in full force. Under the bright blue skies, Moscow displayed a fleet of new tanks, Iskander missiles, and, for the first time, attack drones – the flies-like-a-buzz-saw type Russia uses in waves to target Ukraine almost daily.
An assortment of foreign leaders attended, even Chinese troops marching on Russia's famous Red Square. Putin used his short speech to assure that victory was near in Ukraine. The conflict has left tens of thousands dead, and talks of peace are high on the agenda amid Donald Trump's efforts to end the fighting.
"The whole country, society, and people support the participants of the special military operation," Putin declared. "We are proud of their bravery and determination, of the fortitude that has always brought us only victory."
Moscow has clamped down on criticism of its military campaign, and thousands of Russians have fled the country since. Giant banners hung on Red Square read, "Victory will be ours" – drawing parallels between the defeat of the Nazis in '45 and Moscow's current Ukraine campaign.
Security was tight for days ahead of the event, with Ukraine threatening to target the capital with drones, just as they had this week. Snipers were positioned on the rooftops, the Internet was jammed, and troops roared the traditional Russian chant of "Ura!" as they paraded in front of more than 20 foreign leaders.
Notable attendees included China's Xi Jinping, Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Egypt's Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and North Korea's top commanders, who have become key allies in Russia's mission to oust Ukrainian forces from its Kursk region. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico defied Brussels by travelling to Moscow for the occasion, earning him high praise from the Kremlin as an 'act of heroism.'
Spectators applauded as troops who fought in Ukraine marched past them, with one German woman asking her friend if she'd spotted the navy cadets. A motorcade of the "Night Wolves" – a pro-Kremlin motorcycle gang – sat near Steven Seagal, the US actor and long-time friend of Putin who's received Russian citizenship. A guest from Beijing cheered and filmed as the commentator announced Beijing's troops were about to march.
After the ceremony, Putin came down from the stands to the square, where he shook hands with troops who'd fought in Ukraine and hugged North Korean commanders, who've been instrumental in Russia's military efforts. "All the best to you and all your troops," Putin told them, beaming for the cameras.
© 2025 AFP
Enrichment Data:
Overall:The query appears to refer to recent events, so I will focus on the 2025 Victory Day parade.
Foreign Leaders at the 2025 Victory Day Parade
In 2025, 29 world leaders attended Russia's Victory Day parade on May 9, signaling international support for Russia amidst its isolation due to the conflict in Ukraine. Notable attendees included:
- China's Xi Jinping: His presence marked a significant display of Sino-Russian relations and solidarity[1][2].
- Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva: Lula's attendance highlighted the diverse international support Russia managed to gather despite Western sanctions[1].
- Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro: Maduro's attendance underscored the alliance with nations critical of Western geopolitical dominance[1][4].
- Serbia's Aleksandar Vučić and Slovakia's Robert Fico: Despite broader European Union pressure, they trespassed boundaries by attending the parade in Moscow[1].
In 2025, during Russia's Victory Day parade, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva were among the 29 world leaders who attended, signaling international support amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Additionally, Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, Serbia's Aleksandar Vučić, and Slovakia's Robert Fico, despite European Union pressure, attended the parade in Moscow, showcasing their solidarity with Russia.
Political dynamics surrounding the 2025 Victory Day parade were complicated by the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, as many world leaders hesitated to attend, while others chose to defy geopolitical expectations to demonstrate their support for Russia.
